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OVERVIEW

powered by AFI

Brief Synopsis

The savage behavior of German troops during WWII is explored in this sweeping epic which pits Italian and Russian prisoners against their Fascist captors.

In 1942, an Italian squadron traveling by train through the Ukraine to the eastern front observes the harsh treatment suffered by Russian captives at the hands of German soldiers. An Italian offers a Russian a piece of bread, thus precipitating a fight between the Germans and Italians. Later, when a Russian town is overtaken, the Italians and Germans are unable to prevent saboteurs from destroying several buildings. The saboteurs, including a girl named Katya, are captured, and the Germans order them shot; but the Italian firing squad allows Katya to escape. Bazzocchi, a young Italian soldier, follows and tries to console the frightened girl, only to be shot down by planes. Fascist Major Ferri joins the troop, along with a compassionate Italian physician who is begged by the surrendering Russian partisans to save their wounded leader. Leaving behind a hostage, the partisans take the doctor to their camp. Although he saves the leader's life, the doctor is shot by the Germans while returning to his outfit; consequently, the hostage is also executed. Later, the Russians push back the Italians and take Ferri prisoner. During the general retreat, the Germans ride while the Italians march on foot. Ferri kills one of the Italian drivers and attempts to take over the truck, but other Italians beat him to death. A weary Italian soldier, Gabrielli, continues on alone. He comes across the frozen body of Sonya, a Russian girl whom he had met earlier, and falls to the ground to begin digging his own grave.